Modwright Transporter VS Opera Droplet 5.0 CDP.

I have not heard the Droplet, so cannot comment there, but the MWTP is an outstanding digital front end and would be very stiff competition. If you went that route you could use any decent transport through the DAC section of MWTP. I use an Oppo with excellent results. I have a few friends with MWTP's. I have heard it there head-to-head with an Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP, as well as two DACs (MHDT Havana, Empirical Modded Northstar via Pacecar) . The MWTP sounded better in all three comparisons, and my friend sold his EMC and now uses an inexpensive Oppo as through an Empirical Pacecar as a transport. Another friend (TVAD) thought his Esoteric X03 edged out the MWTP by a small margin in slightly superior resolution. Perhaps he'll chime in here. I sold my Modwright Platinum Signature Sony player when I got my TP because the TP sounded better and was more versatile making the player an expensive redundancy. Disclaimer: Dan Wright is a client of mine. You can also find a whole lot of input on tube rolling in the MWTP on the Modwright Audiocircle forum under the thread on that subject, which is very long (I can save you some reading if you want the Cliff Notes version). The tube choice does make a big difference, and the current hyper-mod to the power supply also is a very nice upgrade (I believe this is on all the current production MWTP's but check me on that). The TP also adds the versatility of streaming various Internet music sources, like Pandora, and online radio stations.

Chillinimrod- Recommend careful "due diligence" on CDPs sourced form China. Make sure you can get effective timely and economical support. Also note that MWTP can form the basis of a very flexible network music system w minimal user computer knowledge required, if that's an issue.

Jax2- I'd love to get the Cliffnotes on the tube-rolling for my MWTP.

08-16-09: Jax2
Another friend (TVAD) thought his Esoteric X03 edged out the MWTP by a small margin in slightly superior resolution.

Just a couple small revisions. I own an Esoteric UX3-Pi, not an X-03. One is a universal player and the other is an SACD/CD player. To my knowledge, the SACD and CD audio sections of these players are identical. However, in the event that they aren't identical, I wanted to specify which player I own.

Also, in addition to better resolution, the Esoteric has better bass extension and definition, and the overall tonality is slightly better balanced. That said, the differences are slim, and by my percentage scale, the Esoteric is better by no more than 5%. Of course, my percentage could easily be someone else's 25%, so take it as you will.

Bottom line, the MW Transporter is outstanding.

The TP also adds the versatility of streaming various Internet music sources, like Pandora, and online radio stations.
Jax2 (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

This is how I have primarily been using my TP...as a streaming device for Pandora (the comparisons used to arrive at the conclusions regarding the TP vs. Esoteric were using redbook CDs with the Esoteric as a transport connected via its spdif digital output). In my home, for whatever reason...perhaps due to my wireless network (two Apple Airport Express devices), I have issues at times with the TP timing out and re-buffering.

I thought it's worth mentioning, as the wireless streaming is very nice to have, but the bugs are not worked out, IMO. Again, I am not laying blame on the TP, but the fact is that I don't know yet where the problem lies.

The short version,Swamp, is this:

Two favorite rectifiers are the EML 5U4G Mesh, which I'm using, and the Mullard High Wycombe GZ37 (NOS). A few folks like the usual suspects 5AR4/GZ34 variants but the majority is with the EML mesh. I found 5AR4's to lack some body/weight when I tried them.

If you stick with 9-pin signal tubes the RCA 6CG7 cleartops get the knod. Better still get a octal adapter from Boulder Cable or Jim Cross and use 6SN7 variants. The cream of that crop are the pricey Tung Sol rounds. Others are having very good results with the Russian military version of that tube (Grant can speak to this end) which are cheaper than the TS rounds and pretty close in performance I'm told. A further possibility recently being explored by some seeking a "cheaper" TS round is using a Loctal adapter and 7SN7's. No direct experience there but my friend just picked up the goods so I'll post if I hear anything soon.

There'll be a quiz later on...

Marco

Jax2 was very helpful providing me with his MW TP tube rolling Cliff's Notes, and in my system, the EML 5U4G and Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates have produced the best sound. Thanks, Marco.

I don't use my MW TP as a reference component, so since absolute, optimal sound is not a priority, I'm perhaps more forgiving about subtle differences in tubes than others. I found the Russian 6H8C from Upscale Audio were close enough in sound to the Tung-Sol round plate to cause me to sell a second pair of TS round plates that I had purchased. They are *not* the same, and there *are* definite differences between the two. The Tung-Sol has better balance, tighter bass, and slightly smoother highs (everything that causes these tubes to sell for the premium they do).

The RCA 6CG7 cleartops are also very good.

Many people would be quite satisfied with either the RCA 6CG7 or Russian 6H8C, IMO.